This shard was previously part of a Cizhou ware. The ware was decorated with painted underglaze black floral motifs.Painted underglaze decoration started as early as the Sui Dynasty (589-618) and flourished during the Northern Song (960-1279). The styles were probably influenced by popular painting and woodblock printing of the time. Cizhou ware with painted decoration includes pillows, vases, bowls, small and large jars.Cizhou is situated at the Ci county of Hebei province but the term ‘Cizhou ware’ has been loosely used to refer to a type of sturdy stonewares produced at several kilns in the northern provinces throughout the Song, Yuan and even Ming dynasties. Cizhou ware was considered popular and utilitarian ware, inferior in status to the other major wares such as Jun and Ding wares that enjoyed imperial patronage.
